No. 6 Mid-Prairie claims conference title

ANAMOSA - The Mid-Prairie High School baseball team saw opportunity knocking and answered the door.

The Golden Hawks, who are ranked sixth in Class 2A, won a share of the River Valley Conference title and captured the South Division title outright with three victories this week.

The Hawks downed Monticello 4-1 Monday then blasted North Cedar Tuesday before getting a 6-1 win at Anamosa Wednesday.

Mid-Prairie has a 10-1 record in the league and have a 12-3 ledger overall. Iowa City Regina at 5-2 and Durant at 7-4 would be tied for second behind the Hawks. Camanche, which is ranked eighth, was 9-1 in the North Division.

In Tuesday's road game at North Cedar (4-6), Mid-Prairie scored early and often bolstered by three home runs and a double with four runs each in both the first and second innings, then five in the fourth and three in the fifth. Brad Tornow, who started on the mound, helped his cause with a home run, a double and a single for four runs batted in. Aidan Rath laced two shots over the fence that resulted in four runs batted in. Karson Grout and Keegan Gingerich had two hits apiece.

Tornow threw four innings with five hits, four runs, four walks and seven strikeouts. Only one run was earned. Collin Miller threw an inning and gave up an unearned run, a walk and fanned one.

In Wednesday's road win against Anamosa (4-7), Kayden Reinier tossed a complete game with three strikeouts, four hits and two walks. The lone run was earned. The Hawks got a double apiece from Chris Miller, Tornow, Vinny Bowlin and Grout. Monte Slabaugh went 2-for-4.

Mid-Prairie's next scheduled game is in the postseason against the winner of West Branch and Williamsburg 7 p.m. Tuesday at home.